MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI – A community forum open to the public on April 24 is intended to “build stronger relationships of trust” among law enforcement officials and citizens, according to county officials.

The free forum is slated for 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 24 at the Muskegon High School cafeteria. Refreshments will be provided.

A press release issued by the Muskegon Rotary Club’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee said the forum – Annual Public Forum for the Enhancement of Police and Community Trust (ENPACT) – “seeks to build on the positive track record of a similar forum” that was held in Washtenaw County.

The keynote speaker at the forum will be Delphia Simpson, the chief assistant public defender for Washtenaw County. Muskegon’s new public defender, Fred Johnson, will serve as a moderator.

Several local law enforcement officials have been invited to attend and will take audience questions.

Muskegon County Sheriff Dean Roesler, Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Hilson and a representative from the Michigan State Police are also expected to attend.

Lewis, a member of the Rotary’s diversity committee, helped organize the event and emphasizes the importance of strong ties between the citizens and police agencies that serve them.

“The role that law enforcement officers play every day is about service to the community,” Lewis said in a release. "This forum is about communication in both directions, because listening and developing better community relationships enables us to carry out our mission of service more effectively.”